THE Court D’Appeal in Cotouno, Benin Republic, has adjourned the extradition case involving the Yoruba rights activist, Sunday Igboho till Friday, July 23, 2021.
Recall that Igboho was arrested on his way to Germany with his wife Ropo.
He was arrested on Monday in Cotonou.
Igboho is on the wanted list of the Nigerian government, with the International Police (INTERPOL) expected to pick him up wherever he is seen and extradited to Nigeria.
On Wednesday, some Yoruba people residing in Cotonou, Republic of Benin, thronged the nation’s court where it was believed that an extradition hearing of Igboho would take place.
The hearing however failed to hold on that day.
Igboho’s legal representative, Chief Yomi Aliyu, had earlier expressed hope that an extradition would not happen.
He said that, “The Nigerian authorities and security operatives that arrested him would be approaching the court for an extradition order to bring Sunday Igboho back to Nigeria.
“But it is not likely that the extradition order being sought for would sail through. This is because of the status of our client as a political offender who enjoys immunity against extradition. Like I said in a press release earlier today, even his arrest by security operatives was against the political nature of his offence.
“There is an existing ex- tradition treaty between four West African countries of Nigeria, Togo, Ghana and Benin Republic, which grants Igboho immunity from being extradited from the Republic of Benin.
“The Extradition Treaty of 1984 between Togo, Nigeria, Ghana and Republic of Benin excluded political fugitives. It also states that where the fugitive will not get justice because of discrimination and/ or undue delay in prosecution, the host country should not release the fugitive.”
